“Fiercely competitive”. That’s how Fort Gibson basketball coach Scott Lowe describes his lone senior Jenna Whiteley. And for Jenna it’s a trait that just comes naturally.

“My mom and dad are both athletic. Mom played college basketball and dad played college football and were both multi-sport athletes in high school.”

Now add to that mix two athletically talented, competitive sisters- Zoe, the oldest who now plays basketball at Rogers State and Addy, the youngest who is a freshman for the Lady Tigers this year-and, well, you know what happens.

“Dad used to make us play one-on-one all the time, but we finally had to stop because we would literally start punching each other,” laughed Jenna.

That competitive spirit has served Jenna well. She’s been a part of teams that have gone to the state tournament every year she’s been at Fort Gibson including winning the gold ball her freshman year. But being able to play with her sisters has been one of her big thrills.

“Playing with my sisters has been awesome. I love getting to play with them and how we get to experience it all together,” said Jenna who is also a member of Fort Gibson’s state champion soccer team as well as being in the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. “I learned a lot about leadership from Zoe. She always had a smile on her face and always liked to have fun but also knew when it was time to be serious. She was a great teammate on and off the court and that’s the kind of leader I’m trying to be.”

Even though the Lady Tigers fell just short of the title last year, it was a tournament that rates as a highlight for Jenna who was named to the All-Tournament team.

“Going into that tournament we were underdogs. That first game against Classen everyone thought we would lose but we won by 10. Same thing in the next game against Weatherford when folks thought we didn’t have a chance and we won by 14. And even though we lost in the title game it was a great experience to pull off those upsets and be playing on the last Saturday of the season.”

Even with her talent, Jenna thinks her athletic days will end when she leaves Fort Gibson.

“I thought about playing college athletics but I’m not sure anything can compare with what I’ve had here at Fort Gibson. I’ve seen what a grind it is for Zoe in college and so I think I’m ready to be done with that part of my life.”

Jenna plans to go to college and get a degree in sonography.